Farm-gate



(No Model.)

G. H MITCHELL.

FARM GATE.

No. 466,830. Patented-Jan. 12', 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

GEORGE H. MITCHELL, OF IDAVILLE, INDIANA.

FARM-GATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 466,830, dated January12, 1892.

Application filed March 20, 1891. Serial No. 385,802- (No model T atwhom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. MITCHELL, a citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at Idaville, in the county of White and State ofIndiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFarm-Gates, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain improvements in gates, more especiallyfarm-gates, having for its object to reduce the number of parts thereofto the minimum and to secure the said parts together in a simple andeificient manner, as also to effect the automatic latching of the gate;and to these ends theinvention consists in the detailed construction andcombination of parts, substantially as hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of myimproved gate. Fig.

2 is a detail view of the latch end of the gate.

Fig. 3 is a broken detail View thereof; and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectionalview of the gate post, showing the catch in plan.

In the embodiment of my invention I construct the gate principally oftwo end pieces A, a horizontal or longitudinal piece or bar B, securedthereto, and a centrally transverse piece or bar 0, centrally secured tosaid 1011- gitudinal piece, all preferably of Wood. The end pieces A andthe longitudinal or horizontal piece or bar B are mutually braced. inposition by means of the short oblique struts or braces a, arranged twoabove and two below said longitudinal piece or bar and having their endsembedded or let into mortises or notches in said end pieces and bar,respectively. The gate thus'far constructed is filled in with lengths ofwire or stringers D, passing through staples or eyes 1) upon the centraltransverse piece B and having their ends secured in any suitable mannerto the pieces A, it may be bybeinglooped or bound around the same. Staysor braces E in the form of wires twisted upon and crossing the lowerwires or stringers D and secured to the longitudinal or horizontal barB, serve to prevent the ready upward displacement orbending of the wiresor stringers by small animals at tempting to pass under the gate out ofthe inclosure, thus preventing their leaving the same and wanderingaway.

F is the spring-latch, which consists of several intertwisted strands orpieces of springwire stretched after the fashion of applying the stringsof a stringed musical instrument across the apices of triangular orconical blocks or cross-pieces c, secured to the forward one of the endA, said wire strands having their ends passed through the holes insaidend piece and then twistedtogether. Thus it will be seen that as thegate closes the springwire strands of thelatc-h thus formed will snap orspring into engagement with the catch or notched plate E of thegatepost, and thus effeet the automatic latching of the gate. It isobvious that the spring-wire strands will as readily yield when pressureis oppositely applied by hand to the gate,and thus allow the unlatchingof the gate. It will also be seen that the number of parts in the gateis reduced to the minimum, while they are readily assembled and securedin place in a simple and effective manner.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent, is

A gate having a spring-latch formed of wire stretched across bridgessecured to its forward endpiece,in combination with anotched catch uponthe latch-post adapted to engage said latch, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE II. MITCHELL.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM MCCORKLE, DANIEL P. SNYDER.

